How do you identify a land snail?

Key identifying features

1. Hold shell opening facing out with whorl pointing up, the shell opening should be on your right (i.e., right-handed shell)
2. Adult snails are often over 3-5 mm in length in Western U.S.
3. Operculum (trap door) present.
4. Usually 5-6 whorls.
5. Color varies from gray, light to dark brown.

What does a garden snail look like?

The garden snail has a pale grey, moist skin and a large, brown or yellowish shell with paler flecking and darker, spiraling bands. They are widespread and common throughout the UK and often considered garden pests. They come out at night to feed and rest during the day in sheltered places, such as under rocks.

Why are land snails illegal?

In the United States, Giant African Land Snails (Achatina fulica) are illegal to own, because they are considered an invasive species. To the US Department of Agriculture, this snail is an issue, largely because of its size.

Can you keep a land snail as a pet?

Land snails are suitable pets for elementary-school-age kids, who can learn from watching snails crawl, eat, grow and breed. Some species of land snail are illegal to possess in the United States; pet stores carry a variety of land snail species that are perfectly legal.

How do I identify a garden snail?

The common garden snail can be identified by its brown coiled shell and gray body. Shells on their backs and are 1 to 1-1/2 inches long. Most slugs and snails are dark or light gray, tan, green, or black; some have darker spots or patterns. Slugs and snails leave a slime (mucus) trail that they secrete as they move.

How can you tell what kind of snails you have?

Firstly the number of whorls can help to determine between species. The profile of the whorls and their comparative size can often help, some snails are very ventricose, others very slender, some have a huge body whorl, others have more evenly increasing whorls.

How big can land snails get?

One of the largest terrestrial snails, full-grown adults can reach almost 8 inches (20 cm) long and 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter. Adult shells are brownish with darker brown lengthwise stripes, have seven to nine whorls including a swollen long body whorl, and covers at least half the length of the snail.

Can I own an African land snail?

Is It Legal to Own a Pet Giant African Land Snail? Due to the risk of becoming a successful invasive species and being a serious agricultural pest, importation of giant African land snails into the United States is not permitted, and it is illegal to keep them as pets in the U.S.